Pamfilo da Magliano
was one of the founders of St. Bonaventure, he was among the first friars present when
the first corner stone was built, and eventually became the school's
first president. He was regarded as a prime example of a
Franciscan man. Born in the town of Magliano de'Marsi, in
Abruzzi on April 22,1824, his town is located next to the Franciscan
monastery of St. Martin. As a boy he learned of the faith from the
friars and attended mass at the Franciscan church close to home.
When he was no more than fifteen he decided that the way of St.
Francis was for him. He was given the name Pamfilo when he
pronounced his solemn vows on July 5, 1839. During his scholastic
years he gained praise for his love of knowledge and solid piety. For
that reason, once he had reached the goal of the priesthood on
December 18, 1846, and finished his theological course, he was
appointed to teach Philosophy and later Theology. After being called
back to Rome in 1852, he was appointed lector in the Irish college of
St. Isidore. It was during his three years at St. Isidore that he
became fluent in the use of the English language.

Throughout his
life he strived to live as St. Francis did. He wanted to spread
his
knowledge and faith to others, this drove him to come to
the United States to set up a monastery and school. On May 5,
1855 Fr. Pamfilo and three other friars met with Pope Pius IX and received
his blessing as they embarked on their missionary journey. The
Friars had been promised two hundred acres and 5000 dollars so that a
house for the religious could be conveniently and properly erected. They received this from a wealthy and illustrious citizen of
Utica, New York by the name of Nicholas Devereux.

Finally, on April
20, 1856, the cornerstone of the first building
that was to be St.
Bonaventure University was laid. It was not until February 1, 1859 that St. Bonaventure
was formally opened to students. On March 1,1861, Fr. Pamfilo went to
the Diocese of Buffalo to establish a Custody of Order, and in April
of that year the Minister General named Fr. Pamfilo Custos of the
Province. Throughout its first years Fr. Pamfilo guided the seminarians and students
of the college in worship and study. In 1864 Fr. Pamfilo relinquished
the post of Guardian of the Franciscan Community. Up to this time he
had held these positions : Custos of the province, President of the
college and seminary, guardian of the religious community, and
pastor of the parish churches in Allegany and Olean. In 1867 Fr.
Pamfilo left the US to return to Rome and the college and seminary
were left in charge of Fr. Diomede Falconio.

SERVED ELSEWHERE: CONVENT OF ST. BERNADINE IN URBINO-CHAIR
OF PHILOSOPHY AND THEOLOGY. DEPT'S-DEC.1846-OCTOBER 1852\SEC. TO
VISITOR GENERAL FATHER ZACHARIAH OCT.1852\TAUGHT COLLEGE OF ST.
ISIDORE DECEMBER 8,1852-JANUARY 4, 1855

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: DEPARTED FROM ITALY IN 1855 AND ARRIVED IN
ELLICOTTVILLE ON JUNE 20,1855\HELPED SET UP AN ACADEMY, A COLLEGE, AND
A MONASTERY IN ALLEGANY\ FIRST PRESIDENT OF ST. BONAVENTURE COLLEGE/
SET UP CONGREGATION OF THIRD ORDER IN JOLIET, ILLINOIS/ WAS ONE OF 8
PRIESTS ALONG WITH 6 LAY BROTHERS WHO HELPED TO OPEN ST. BONAVENTURE
IN 1859

DEATH DATE: 1876-11-15

BURIAL PLACE: MONTERO, ROME

BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED WHILE PRESIDENT: COLLEGE BUILDING,
ACADEMY BUILDING AND A MONASTERY

1856-08-20 LAID
CORNERSTONE OF FIRST BUILDING AT ST. BONAVENTURE\1858-10-04 DEDICATED
FIRST BUILDING